Strategies for Wildlife Protection & Insurance
Unless you live in an area that’s prone to wildfires, a standard homeowners insurance policy covers the damage and destruction a wildfire can cause.[1] Your policy should cover the costs associated with repairing or rebuilding your home, replacing your belongings, and paying expenses related to living elsewhere while your home is repaired.
Your coverage is limited by the policy you’ve signed. If you opt for a lower premium, you may have a high deductible and a small potential payout. Understanding your coverage limits is an important part of any family’s disaster recovery plan.
Wildfires & Homeowners Insurance
Insurance companies cover specific incidents — or perils — as part of a standard homeowners policy. Fire is one of those perils.[2]
Most homeowners do not need to buy a wildfire insurance policy. That peril is part of the protection you purchased within your standard plan. You typically don’t need to get a rider or a separate policy.
Most states have detailed rules about which perils should be covered within a standard homeowners policy. In Oregon, for example, the insurance code requires every homeowners policy to include wildfire coverage.[3]
A standard homeowners policy will include protection for the following elements:
- Your home’s structure
- Your belongings (with some limitations)
- Expenses associated with living somewhere else during home repairs
- Liability and medical payments for injuries or losses that happen to someone on your property
Read your policy carefully, and you will understand how much your plan will cover for each of these areas. Review the documents with a fire in mind. Fires can quickly take out a structure completely, meaning you’ll have to rebuild from the ground up. If you lose everything, will you get a big enough payout to help you really recover?
Why Is Wildfire Protection Required?
While most people associate fires with California, experts say the problem occurs in 38 states.[4]
Climate change is increasing fire risks throughout the United States, especially in the West.[5] Fires are burning over larger areas and causing even more damage.
A wildfire can cause intense damage to your home. One homeowner told a reporter about a fire that hit his neighborhood.[6] He had just minutes to run away from his home, and he knew he would be leaving behind items with intense sentimental value.
How Can Wildfire Risks Impact Your Coverage?
Insurance companies use maps to assess how risky your home might be.[7] If your home is in the midst of a dangerous area, your insurance company could make decisions that could impact you financially.
Your insurance company could increase your premiums due to your fire risks. The company could also refuse to renew your policy if it’s trying to reduce its risk in an area prone to natural disasters.
A homeowner in California encountered this problem.[5] She took significant steps to reduce her fire risks, including replacing her home’s siding. Her insurance company required these steps before even considering a renewal. Even so, they canceled her policy due to the fire risks in her area.
What If You Can’t Get Insurance?
If your property is in a high-risk area, your insurance company could cancel your policy. When you shop for a new plan, other companies might make the same decision. What can you do next?
The Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan is designed for homeowners who can’t get insurance through routine insurance companies.[8] A policy like this can ensure you aren’t completely unprotected if a fire occurs.
FAIR Plan policies are typically more expensive than standard versions.[10] They may have higher deductibles or lower payouts than many traditional plans.
How to File a Wildfire Claim
After a wildfire, it’s critical to take action. You may be struggling with difficult emotions, intense stress, and plenty of logistics, but it may be worth it to prioritize filing a claim so you can get back on your feet as fast as possible. Delaying this can cause serious complications, and even claim denials, down the road.
Start by examining your insurance policy. Ensure that the damage you’re facing will cost more to fix than your deductible. If the problems are small and fixable without a lot of hassle, it might be smarter to leave your insurance company out of the conversation rather than risk increased rates down the line.
Documenting damage is critical. Take photos and videos of anything that is burned, blackened, charred, or waterlogged.
Expert Take
Although documentation is important for a claim, you should always prioritize safety. Don’t enter buildings that may be structurally unsound. If you aren’t sure, call in a professional.
To file a wildfire claim, take the following steps:[1]
- Contact your insurance agent.
- Fill out required claim paperwork.
- Take photos and videos of anything that has been damaged.
- Store damaged items safely.
- Make minor, temporary repairs (like boarding up windows) to prevent further damage.
- Stay on-site as the company’s insurance adjuster visits the home and looks at the damage.
How to Protect Your Home
Homeowners can’t keep fires from springing up in their neighborhoods. However, you can take steps to help your home be more resilient if a fire begins.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends these steps:[11]
- Know your risks. Check the wildfire map and learn more about fires that hit your area in the past.
- Consider access points. Ensure that your road is clearly marked and wide enough to allow fire crews to help when needed.
- Keep it clear. Keep vegetation 30 feet away from your home. Don’t store flammable items (like firewood) next to your home.
- Perform maintenance. Remove leaves, brush, and other debris from your 30-foot protection zone and gutters.
- Replace your roof. Consider fiberglass, concrete, or tile instead of flammable materials like wood.
- Assess your siding. Choose stucco, concrete, or cement shingles over wood siding.
- Close access points. Keep sparks from growing beneath decks and porches. Seal house vents with wire mesh.
Use this FEMA list as a to-do checklist for your home. Tackling one or two of the larger projects each year could help you build up resilience in time. You might even get discounts on your policy if you let your provider know of your improvements.
Prepare Your Home for Fire
Your homeowners insurance policy should provide core protection against wildfires. Wildfire coverage also potentially reimburses you for the cost of damage due to water used in firefighting (and even mold that grows as a result). If you live in a high-risk area, your insurance company may choose to cancel your plan. You have options, including FAIR Plan insurance policies. Protecting your home through fireproofing will help too.
Sources
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Insurance for Wildfires. Insurance Information Institute.
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Which Disasters Are Covered by Homeowners Insurance? Insurance Information Institute.
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Homeowners Insurance and Wildfires. Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services.
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Facts About Wildfires. Insurance Information Institute.
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In Wildfire-Prone Areas, Homeowners Are Learning They’re Uninsurable. (October 2023). Grist.
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As Wildfire Risk Scores Rise, WA Homeowners Are Left in Insurance Limbo. (October 2023). KUOW.
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Wildfire National Risk Index. Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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The FAIR Plan: Oregon. National Council on Aging.
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State Insurance Departments. National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
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FAIR Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plans. (February 2023). National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
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Avoiding Wildfire Damage: A Checklist for Homeowners. Federal Emergency Management Agency.